Pixel Feature Drop turns Google Pixel into a practical Nintendo Switch 2 webcam

With the latest Pixel Feature Drop update, Google Pixel phones can now double as a genuinely handy accessory for the Nintendo Switch 2.

On sale for around six months, the Nintendo Switch 2 has been gaining new add-ons, including certain webcams that let players use the GameChat feature. While Nintendo has produced its own dedicated camera, the console also supports plenty of third-party models… and even some smartphones.

Best games consoles

Console	Price
Nintendo Switch	266 €
Microsoft Xbox Series X	549 €

Are Google Pixel now compatible with the Nintendo Switch 2?

Yes - and it’s good news for Google Pixel owners. You no longer need to buy an extra accessory to use your phone as a webcam on the Nintendo Switch 2. The two devices now work together directly, without relying on any third-party app.

Android 14, UVC and why it didn’t work before

In practice, Google has supported using an Android device as an external webcam for two years already. The capability arrived with an Android 14 update, which added support for USB Video Class (UVC) mode - a standard widely used by conventional webcams. In theory, everything was in place… but the Nintendo Switch 2 wasn’t taking advantage of it yet.

That changed with the November “Pixel Feature Drop” update, which effectively unlocked the situation. Since then, Nintendo’s console correctly recognises Pixel smartphones as a video source. It’s a small technical shift, but a useful one for anyone who wants to use GameChat (or other features) without buying another accessory.

Google also noted in its update that it had made “a fix for an issue preventing webcam mode from working correctly with connected devices under certain conditions.” That likely explains the improvement.

Setting up a Google Pixel as a Switch 2 webcam

To get it working, simply connect your Google Pixel to the Nintendo Switch 2 using a USB-C cable, then make the required adjustments in the console’s settings. The phone should then be detected automatically as a webcam. Straightforward, right?

On Nintendo’s side, the company is gearing up for a strong festive period: the Switch 2 had already reached more than 10.3 million sales (as of 30 September), and the Japanese giant is now aiming for 19 million sales by 31 March.

Pixel 9 and Pixel 10: speaker issue with no fix

As for the recent Pixel 9 and Pixel 10, it’s worth reiterating that several users have reported a loudspeaker malfunction during phone calls. Unlike the webcam-mode issue mentioned above, this one unfortunately will not be fixed. Google has recently said that no update will be released to address the bug, leaving affected users without an official software solution.